Convertible clothes rack and screen



E. SCHWARZ CONVERTIBLE CLOTHES RACK AND SCREEN Feb. 10, 1953 Filed Aug. so, 1947 2l/1 SCHWARZ ATTORNEY Patented Feb. l0, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT v(,IFFICIEI- y CONVERTIBLE CLOTHES RACK AND SCREEN Ella Schwarz, New York, Y.

Application August 30, 1947, Serial No. 771,508

This invention relates to racks for hanging garments of various kinds land class. More particularly, my invention deals with Ia collapsible rack structure, where the frame members of the rack may be brought into close proximity to each other when the rack is not in use. Still more lparticularly, the invention deals withI a device of .the character described, constructed as what I term a collapsible rack screen, where the end frames of the rack include panel or screen portions forming closures for the ends of the rack and forming a complete closure for the rack frame when the screen ends are brought into juxta or abutting position.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of. the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designatedvby suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a rack frame in set-up position, showing the end screen or panel sections in cross-section.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure as seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the screen rack in collapsed position.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the structure as seen in Fig. 4, omitting parts of thefconstruction.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one part of the rack frame and one screen panel; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view indicating the manner of supporting garment hangers in connection with the hanger bar.

In the home and, notwithstanding the availability of closet space, diiculty has been experienced for storage of clothing upon the arrival of guests, which has usually necessitated clearing out the usual entrance closet of the household apparel to make room for the guests clothing or to require the guests to place their clothing on beds or any other place that may be available.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide a collapsible rack which is normally maintained in collapsed position and which can be quickly and easily extended and set up for use in the home for the support of guests garments. In this sense, the rack becomes Ia household accessory, providing a practical and convenient means for supporting or hanging guests coats, wraps and the like at a convenient position in the home to be available and accessible.

l Claim. (Cl. 2211-2) In this manner, thepresent objectionable practices land procedure Aare obviated. In addition to providing the rack, in some forms of construction it is desirable to also include end panels which form closures for the end of the rack when in set-up condition and which, in la secondary use, lwill form of the collapsed unit a screen or ornamental enclosure suitable for storage in the room and avoiding the necessity of storing the rack away in -a closet, storeroom or the like. The latter adaptation of the invention has been shown in the accompanying drawing.

My improved collapsible rack structure comprises two similar end standards, generally identified by the reference characters II) and II. These standards. lare what might be termed end frames, comprising an elongated base or footpiece I2, I3, having a central upstanding rod I4, I5. Slidably mounted on the rod I ,4 is -a U-piece I6, to which is pivoted, as seen at I1, an enlarged end or block I8 on a garment supporting bar I9 in the form of a tube. At the other end of bar or tube I9 is ano-ther block 20 pivoted to Ianother U-piece 2| which is rlxedly secured to the rod I5, as seen lat `22. Pivoted to ends of the bases or footpieces I2, I3 are pairs of brace links 23, 23',

. each pairco-mprising =a link 24, 24' 10i-voted to the base of the footpiece I2 and a link 25, '25' lpivoted 25' are pivoted together, as seen at 26, 26', the links 25, 25 having overhanging stops 21, 21' which rest upon the links 24, 2li in maintaining the pairs of links in horizontal position.

The upper end of the rod I4 has =a spring catch 28, over which the U-piece IB is adapted to pass land, upon which, the latter rests when the catch 28 is in extended position. This supports the tube or bar I9 n the horizontal position, shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6. By .pressing inwardly upon the catch 28 by .a nger of the hand, the U-piece I6 may be made free to slide downwardly upon the rod I4 and, by moving the center pivot portions 26, 26 of the links upwardly, the frames I0 land I I may be brought into close proximity to each other in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing. In this position, the U- piece I6 has moved to the lower end of the rod I4.

The bar or tube I9 has an elongated aperture 29 in the lower surface thereof, which, at one end, opens into a large diameter aperture 30 of suii'icient size as to receive the rounded head 3I on the rod end 32 of a garment hanger 33.

Any desired number of the hangers 33 can be normally mounted on the bar I9 and these hangers will drop to a position substantially as indicated in Fig. 4 when the rack is moved into closed position or the hangers may be detached by movement through the aperture 39.

It is desirable, however, to keep the entire unit in assembled relationship to have it accessible for immediate use, particularly if unexpected guests arrive. Thus a minimum number, such as four hangers will be all that are necessary to maintain in the rack, but when a greater number of guests are expected, additional hangers can be added or a conventional type of hook hanger can be simply mounted on the bar or tube i9.

The foregoing comprises a rack frame which can be used as such and stored away in a closet,

storeroom or the like and brought out for immediate use. However, in more elaborate uses of the invention, I prefer to include on each of the end sections I0, li, wall or panel portions 34, 34', preferably having the inturned rounded sides or ends, as seen at 35, 35 in Fig. 2 of the drawing,

the latter sides or ends being disposed beyond end limits of the bottom or footpieces l2, I3.

The panels may comprise screen sections and may be constructed in any desired manner. It

is preferred that the lower ends of the panels or screens 34, 34 extend to and are iiush with the footpieces l2, i3 to provide a complete enclosure and, further, to give added support upon the floor or other surface. The panels or screen sections 34, 34' also extend above the rods iii and i5.

Mounted on the upper ends of the sections are a plurality or" longitudinally spaced headed pin-s 36,l 3S', the latter forming an ornamental top and, at the same time, means for hanging hats thereon. Supported on the inner surfaces of the panels or screen sections 34, 3 are lugs 31, 3l', into which upper protruding ends I4', l5 of the rods I4, l5 are mounted. This provides a support for the upper end of the screen or panel sections and, at the same time, provides a further brace for the upper end of the rack.

When the rack is collapsed, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5w, the sections 34, 34 are brought into abutting engagement with each other, thus forming a complete screen-like enclosure of the entire device and with the panels, or screen sections 34, 34' ornamented or characterized in any desired manner, this screen will be suitable for positioning in a room, hallway, foyer or the like as an article of furniture and can be extended for use Whenever desired. Comparing Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing and noting Fig. 2, it will appear that the width of the panels or screens Bil, 34 is substantially one-half the length of the rack when in extended position, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

In addition to home or domestic uses, a rack of the type and kind under consideration is suitable for use in stores for the display of merchandise, or as a service rack, upon which clothing may be hung while a customer is trying on other garments.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: y

A collapsible screen clothes rack comprising a pair of vertical frames, said frames comprising panels, foot pieces and upstanding rods, said panels being xed to outer sides of the footpieces, said rods extending upwardly from the footpieces in spaced relation to and paralleling inner surfaces of said panels, means xed to the panels supporting the upper end of said rods; said panels having inturned curved sides disposed beyond ends of the footpieces, a rigid bar coupling said rods for movement toward and from each other, one end of said bar having a xed pivotal coupling at the upper end of one of said rods, a U -shaped member pivoted to the other end of said f bar and slidably mounted on the other rod,

means at the upper end of the second named rod engaging and retaining said member in iixed position and in horizontal 'alignment between said rods, means comprising hinged links pivoted directly to ends of said footpieces for collapsibly joining and bracing the footpieces of said frames, said panels being of a height substantially equal to the length of said bar and of a width substantially equal to one half the length of one of said panels, thus providing a tall, wide screen when the frames are together or a long rack when the frames are spaced apart, said bar and links controlling movement of the rack from extended to collapsed positions, and said inturned curved sides of the panels being brought into abutting engagement with each other when the rack is collapsed.

ELLA SCHWARZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 414,181 Bardsley Nov. 5, 1889 633,987 Clough Oct. 3, 1899 1,222,805 Schmid Apr, 17, 1917 1,269,351 Wendelius June 11, 1918 1,462,803 Deserty July 24, 1923 1,387,840 Healion Nov. 15, 1932 2,340,540 Lange Feb. 1, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 90,506 Sweden Oct. l2, 1937 

